Taking place every four years in a different host country, the FIFA World Cup is the most
celebrated football tournament in the world.
Sports have a special way of unifying fans, regardless of race, sex, age, or location,
and, just like the Olympics, the World Cup embraces all nations and keeps fans entertained
for a whole month with spectacular goals, saves, and skills.
Though it may not be so evident in America, football is king in virtually every other
continent, with around 3.5 billion fans worldwide.
The sport’s modern origins began in England in the 1860’s when the first-ever official
governing body, the FA (Football Association) was created.
Following the huge success and popularity of the sport at the Olympics, FIFA decided
to form a separate championship purely for football and where players were not limited
by age or amateur status.
And so, the first-ever World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930 (Uruguay was the two-time
official Olympic world champion back then).
Only 13 nations took part, mainly due to the timely and costly location, and Uruguay beat
Argentina in the final to become the first-ever FIFA World Cup Champions.
Fast forward almost 100 years, and there are now 32 teams qualifying for this prestigious
trophy, including the host nation, which is automatically entered into the competition.
It is rumored to be increased to 48 teams by 2026!
In the three years prior to the event, nations battle it out to secure their place, ultimately
(and supposedly) leading to the best teams in the world making it to the final stages.
Eight groups of four teams play against each other, and the top two teams from each group
progress to the knock-out stage.
Brazil is the most decorated team in the tournament with an impressive five wins to-date and is
the only team to participate in every single World Cup held so far.
Fair play to the Samba Stars, football is a huge part of their national identity, and
they always give us a show worth watching!
Other winners are Germany & Italy with four wins each, Argentina, France & Uruguay with
two wins each and England and Spain with one win each.
No country outside of Europe or South America has ever won the World Cup.
And although Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi are, indisputably, two of the greatest players
of our time, they have never won the World Cup with their respective countries, Portugal,
or Argentina…but is there still time?
The next World Cup will be held in Qatar in Nov/Dec 2022, the first time for the tournament
to take place in the Middle East and for it to be held in the ‘winter’ months rather
than summer.
The heat was the deciding factor for this, with Qatar’s average summer temperatures
reaching well over 100’F….eeek, those poor players!
Qatar will also be the only team making its World Cup debut this year.
It is reported that more than half the world, around 3.5 billion people, watched the 2018
Russia World Cup, making it the most successful in history.
France is the present holder of the Cup after they beat Croatia 4-2 in the final.
Brazil are the favorites to win the next one, and France are a close second…it will be
exciting to see either of these challengers add another title to their collection, but
let’s not rule out Ronaldo or Messi just yet!
Olé, olé, olé, olé, olé …